Submission Showdown: Akari Ito vs A I R A

[Misfit_Alien]

The 'Sea Turtle', Akari Ito vs 'A I R A'
Apex Qualifier Submission Only Iron Woman Match: The winner is determined by whoever has scored the most points at the end of a twenty-minute period that starts upon the immediate ringing of the bell. Points are scored by making an opponent tap out, pass out, or verbally yield due to submission only. The submission must take place INSIDE the ring and the referee must witness it in order to call it. Other legal moves are allowed, but only submissions will score points. The match will count towards both characters' number of required qualifier matches. Count-outs and disqualifications are on.
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Akari stood in front of a mirror in the locker room, examining herself and finishing the last of her usual pre-match routines as she checked her gear one last time before getting ready. After her costume check, she ran through a few things with some of the crew members backstage. This would be her last qualifier match before she was able to participate in the Apex event...a step closer to potentially achieving stardom as LAW's inaugural 'Open-weight Champion'. It would be like a dream...but dreams were only fantasies, and Akari was DEAD SET on making sure that this 'dream' of hers became a reality. She would fight tooth and nail in this match and she would fight even harder when she made it to the grand stage. All she had to do was make it through this match tonight.

Tonight's match-up would be against someone new, someone named Airani...or 'A I R A' as she was apparently called in-ring. Akari did her bit of studying and reading up on her opponent. She seemed to be a slight contrast to Akari's style of wrestling, Aira appeared to be way more technical of a wrestler, however, Akari could spot SOME holes in her strategies and movements. Notably, Akari had better stamina than her which would help in the match type that she was about to fight in: An Iron Woman match with a Submission-Only Stipulation...Meaning that for the next twenty minutes inside that ring, Akari would have to do her best to make her opponent submit as many times as it would take in order to score more points than her by the end of the match. Akari had been brushing up on her submission game, but it would be put to the test tonight.

Regardless, she wasn't going to go into this match half-assed. She was confident in her abilities and skill, she was GOING to take this match and use the momentum to build a better start for her going into the Apex event itself. The time came for her to make her entrance, Akari rolled her shoulders around, got rid of all the pre-match nerves, and made her way over to start her entrance as her theme song cued on.

Spoiler

Dressed in her new gym gear, Akari exited from the Gorilla Position and entered the arena. She was sporting a beautiful leotard with kneepads, boots, and wristbands...all of which were matching with her 'Sea Turtle' color scheme, and her boots had on the same hexagon-shell pattern as her shinguards in her classic gear. Like all her entrances before, she was greeted with a thunderous amount of applause from the many spectators in the audience. She soaked up all the cheers and praise, feeling herself becoming energized by the love and support her fans were giving her. She waved to them all as she made her way down the ramp toward the ring, jumping up to the apron and posing for them all, slipping in between the ropes after that and walking over to her corner, now awaiting the arrival of her opponent as she stretches and limbers up for the upcoming submission-based match.

Spoiler

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This is it, this is her last qualifier match for Apex. It have been quite a harsh trial for her in regards on her road to qualify for Apex. Her first qualifier was in her hometown, where she faced one of LAW's prominent heel, Cecilia Lombard. She fought her best, yet her opponent had to weasel in some dirty tactics to win. While that match ends up with her losing and being discredited by one of the judges. She'll rise back up stronger as she goes back straight to another qualifier. The next one was where she was clearly outmatched in terms of experience and skill. Her opponent was Charlotte Ravel, though the match was stipulated to be outside of their expertise. In that match, in an attempt to get into an even ground. Aira pulled a dirty tactic that could be seen very clearly. Such move turned the crowd on her and she couldn't bear that she'd be hated. To which, after that move, she never pulled another and fought valiantly. Only to fell short once again.

But this time, this match plays out to her expertise well. A match with submissions only as the stipulation. Her training in wrestling so far shown her large promises in utilizing grappling and submission techniques to turn the tides against her opponent. Though with the Iron Woman stipulation as well... Aira had never gone through a match that long, this will be a test to her endurance as well. To keep up with the intensity from start to finish would take quite the perseverance!

With confidence, Aira stood ready backstage. Fully dressed in her new two piece wrestling gear, accompanied with a transparent vest and a future-style respirator mask as part of her entrance gear. Gripping a pair of blue lightsticks on her hands. She glanced over to the stagehands and nodded. Prompting them to play a theme that was put on for her very first match with this gear.

Spoiler

Aira walked out and stood there at the center. Making her pose as the crowd greeted her with 'Whoah's and cheers and clappings as she revealed her new gear live. She looked over to the crowd, her mask covered her smile at the welcome. She then set her eyes towards the ring and struts herself confidently following the beat of the song. At ringside, she handed over the lightsticks and gave it away to two lucky front row seater. Turning her attention back to the ring, she took the steps up and walked along the apron before she slips herself through the ropes and enter the ring. Taking a brief look to her opponent before going to her corner and climbs it up. Standing up on the ropes as she pointed and waved her arm to the crowd. She slowly reaches to her mask and slowly uncover her face. Smirking towards the camera as she then stuck her tongue out as it records and snaps closeup shots of her new look.

Spoiler

Her music died down shortly after she drops down from her corner. Putting down her mask to the canvas, she kicked it over to the crew waiting outside the ring to take it while taking her jacket off as she turned around to face Akari. Dropping her jacket, she looked straight towards Akari with a pleasant smile. "Let's have a good match shall we? And no matter the results... No hard feelings alright?" Aira opened up to her opponent while she does some last minute stretchings.

[Misfit_Alien]

Akari smiled upon seeing her opponent show up...what a lovely lass, Akari was hoping that Aira was as skilled as she was pretty~. She was also thoroughly entertained by the woman's shenanigans...the glow sticks...ALL of it. Being a DJ and a breakdancer, Akari was all about the theatrical side of pro-wrestling. It was entertainment after all. Why not add a bit of personality to your performance...a chef may be able to cook great food but the presentation can add an impact that no spice or ingredient can match.


As the two wrestlers prepared for their match, the Sea Turtle was approached by her opponent...a bit of good sportsmanship being shared between them both. This made the woman's smile a little brighter. Respectful opponents would ALWAYS go down in the Sea Turtle's book as people she would love to fight again. This Aira chick was just giving Akari more and more reasons to like and respect her. After Aira said her piece, Akari nodded, acknowledging her opponent's statements as she returned the sentiment right back at her. She gives a respectful bow to Aira before stepping back into her corner. "Mhm...no hard feelings at all. May the better woman win." She said, getting her last bit of stretching in before-...


DING ! ! !


The bell rings and the match is on, immediately out of the gate, Akari rushes in. The DJ wastes no time in bolting right for her opponent, attacking her with a quick flurry of shoot-style kicks, a usual opener for the woman. Instead of locking up with her opponent, Akari was trying to mix things up a little by adding in an opening assault to try and throw her opponent off. Whether or not this would work would depend on the opponent...Akari then attempted to add a little more confusion into the mix. She would duck low, twisting her body to try and go for a Sweep Kick on Aira. However, this was where the trick came in...The Sweep Kick was obviously telegraphed, it was meant to force Aira into a situation where Akari had control. If Aira dodged back or jumped over her leg, then Akari would pop her leg up and over for a kick aimed at Aira's temple, a surprise Capoeira Kick, a move she added to her arsenal during her earlier days. Thanks to her consistent breakdance training, performing this was as easy as performing another dance move.

Spoiler

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Aira is one to show her respect and friendliness to her opponent. A very good mantra that gained her opponents' respect and friendship after the match. She upheld a good sportsmanship and this is how she gain her fans and friends' heart. And now... To focus into the match as she wants to end her qualifier in a good record. Aira took a deep breath as she lowered into her fighting stance...

And the bell rings! Aira took off from her corner and her eyes locked towards Akari. Noticing how Akari started off with such explosive start. Aira skillfully weaved her body back, to the side, all to avoid those kicks from Akari. And then... When Akari went low and tried for a leg sweep. Aira could see how clearly telegraphed it is and hopped off the canvas and jumped over her legs. And right after that, she saw the surprise that Akari had in mind as that leg shot up and aiming straight to her temple!!!

With a very brief window, Aira quickly brought her hands up to her head but it was a little too late as Akari's feet brushed her hand a bit and landed almost clean on her temple!! "Ghhkhh!!" Aira grunted out as her head rocked to the side, stumbling some steps to the side as her sense of balance rocked by that kick to her head. Luckily the ropes were nearby, she stopped herself from falling by grabbing the top rope and halted her movement. Aira groaned out a bit as she rubbed her temple lightly as she looked over to where Akari is. "Ow... Nice move there, I gotta get you to teach me those moves after this." She let out, impressed with the smooth dance-like move.

[Misfit_Alien]

Akari's opening rush of kicks whiffed in its entirety but it did a good job of throwing Aira's focus off, especially when it came time for her little trick. A staple move in her arsenal now, Akari's Sweep Kick fake out worked out perfectly as her opponent took the bait for all it was worth, allowing the Sea Turtle to sneakily capitalize for the devastating Capoeira Kick. Even though it was somewhat blocked, it was obvious that it dealt some pretty big damage to the temple of Aira, the frontside of Akari's boot smashing Aira upside the head and sending her stumbling back into the ropes in a partial daze.

The Sea Turtle kips up to her feet, being met with a round of applause and cheers from the adoring crowd as a compliment to her skillful attack...the capabilities of the Japanese woman's toned legs were nothing to scoff at. Once she took her short victory lap, Akari winked at Aira as she approached slowly, swaying her hips from side-to-side, teasing her a little. "Why thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it~" She said in response to Aira's compliment, taking it in stride as the smile upon her face brightened and widened.

"Now, if you're so interested in learning, I'd be more than happy to give you a live demonstration here and now...careful though, if you fail to keep up, you might just end up on your butt and tapping out~" She teases. "Let's call this 'lesson one'..." She said, moving closer to give Aira the opportunity to properly lock up with one another for a classic Collar-and-Elbow tie-up, an equal opportunity grappling contest where either side could potentially take the advantage in the fight.

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Aira took a deep breath as she shook her head a bit. Regaining her composure after taking the first blow. She smiled, looking over to Akari as she walks away from the ropes. "Heh, pretty sure I can keep up with you, maybe even surpass you." Aira replied, grinning as she showed her confidence. Approaching Akari with her arms raised up. She took a few steps to the side and then the other side to gauge Akari's reaction. Carefully approaching with arms ready for a proper lock up.

A little bit of mix-up on her approach to play a trick on Akari so that she would second guess on how Aira would approach the tie-up. Carefully brushing her hands with Akari's while keeping her distance. Until she makes her actual move! Quickly stepping in and ducking under, Aira crossed her arm across Akari's midsection and pivoted around so she had her opponent in a waist lock. Though she wasn't done there as she immediately let go of the hold and thrust her arm up! Pushing Akari's arm up and locking her arm movement, She locked her hands together on the back of her opponent's neck as she held her onto a Full Nelson hold!

[Misfit_Alien]

Akari was quite eager to see just how capable this woman was by testing her with a lock-up. She reacted to the confident words of Aira with a smirk, showing off her own confidence as she pushed forward to try and grab hold of her opponent. However, Aira wasn't engaging straightforwardly like Akari, instead, she had opted to go for a more sly approach, fooling the Sea Turtle into getting close enough for a grapple but dashing around to the side to get behind her and lock the woman up into an intense Waist Lock, soon transitioning into a Full Nelson after that. Akari began to grunt and groan due to the stress and pain of the hold, her arms forced up and locked into place, this unyielding amount of force being placed on the back of her neck. She grits her teeth as she struggled, attempting to keep her composure so that she could remain calm and aware of her situation, losing her cool would be the first step in her downfall. She had to remain focused. She planted her feet down firmly and tried to force Aira back into the nearest ropes, the act of touching it would force a rope break, allowing Akari to have an easy escape route out of the hold, but that was only if she could manage to maneuver her way to them fast enough.

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Aira's slow and more calculated approach in grappling was proven to be quite effective as she managed to grab hold of Akari from behind. She then quickly transition the move into a full nelson lock. Her opponent was quick to reassess her disadvantage and made it difficult for her to topple her down by planting her feet onto the canvas firmly. Aira could tell though, that Akari was pushing her back and she felt her pushing for a rope break. A few little steps back... Aira had to think quick or else she'd be forced to let go of the hold when her back touches the ropes.

With a grunt, Aira then took her step. She lifted Akari off the canvas! Quickly letting one arm go as she turned Akari sideways midair. She then drops down to one knee. Intending to drive Akari's back onto her extended knee. Concluding her move with a backbreaker!

[Misfit_Alien]

Akari managed to successfully break the hold by forcing a rope break, but Aira wasn't letting go. Instead, the woman decided to make the most out of a bad situation by maneuvering into a Backbreaker, swinging Akari back around, and SLAMMING her backside down onto her knee, letting out an immense cough and groan as her eyes widened, falling off of Aira's knee and spilling down to the floor with a soft thud. Though she was in pain, Akari had been through FAR worse. This wasn't enough to put the Sea Turtle away, nor was it enough to keep her down for long at all as she quickly moved to one knee, attempting to tackle Aira down to the canvas as she lunged at the woman.

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Aira knelt down and watches as Akari fell off her knee after the backbreaker. Huffing out as she gather her strength while planning the next attack. But she was surprised to see Akari quickly recover and darted towards her. Having little to no time to put up her defense. Akane managed to tackle the Indonesian down to the canvas! Grunting as her back landed on the canvas, Aira looked up to Akari and swiftly placed her hands onto Akari's shoulder joints. Pressuring her joints in a defensive gesture to halt Akari from going further into her attacks!